Lionel Messi, the Barcelona footballer, has received part of his PSG welcome package in cryptocurrency

Lionel Messi, the Argentinian soccer superstar who is widely regarded as one of the best players of all time, received a financial package that included cryptoassets earlier this week after switching from his long-time Spanish club Barcelona to French club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

According to Reuters, Messi's new contract discussions included a signing fee paid in the club's cryptocurrency fan token. According to Reuters, a spokesman acknowledged the allegation, stating the tokens were part of a "welcome package" worth $29 – $35 million, according to other media accounts.

While the club did not specify how much of Messi's contract was paid in cryptoassets, a spokeswoman for the team stated that the fan tokens were worth a "substantial" amount.

The fan tokens, which have gained traction in leagues all over the world, including Manchester City and AC Milan, allow holders to vote on minor club matters. Socios.com, the business that sells tokens for PSG and other clubs, has stated that so far in 2021, its fan tokens have produced about $200 million for partner clubs.

Following speculations that Messi would be joining the squad, PSG acknowledged a jump in trading of their fan token, with $PSG token trading volume reaching $1.2 billion in the week leading up to the event.

PSG's chief partnerships officer, Marc Armstrong, said the club was already experiencing the benefits of the crypto fan token:

We were able to reach out to a new global audience, resulting in a considerable increase in digital revenue.

Share: